With signs that nerves are fraying on both sides as less than 18 months remains before the deadline for Britain to leave the EU, some hard-line Brexit supporters want Prime Minister Theresa May to just walk out of talks.

Both negotiators repeated that they were ready for any eventuality including a collapse.

But, Mr Barnier warned, "no deal would be a very bad deal".

Ms May herself said there had been "good progress" and welcomed Mr Barnier's talk of further progress "over the coming weeks".